Betsy Verne (Franco)

Hi, everyone,

About the reunion:  Just by coincidence, my brother is having an art show for my sons James and Tom Franco at the Verne Gallery on Saturday, July 18, 6:30 - 9:00, at 2207 Murray Hill Road. On Sunday, Tom will be giving a talk at 2:00. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Verne-Gallery/154150367931067?fref=nf

Since the Franco show/family reunion is overlapping with the high school reunion, I can't attend most events, but I'm staying at the Embassy Suites in the hopes of running into people there, especially for breakfast or brunch.  I'll be coming in late Friday and might catch anyone who is still at the party.   Betsy

Betsy Verne (Franco)

I forgot to say that everyone's invited to the Franco Brothers Art Show and Tom's talk at the Verne Gallery .  Both are free.  Obviously the Saturday event overlaps with the big reunion night, but just wanted to make sure to invite everyone anyway.

Edward Torchy Smith

BETSY....After your Gallery event on the HILL.  Bring the whole family to Beechmont.  We will all still be there.....well on second thought, at least most of us can stay up that late with no curfew imposed. 

Annellen Minkin (Simpkins)

Hello Everyone! Our son is getting married on August 9 and then I have two sets of teaching workshops the two weeks before. I think three weeks in a row of cross country travel to also attend the reunion would just be too much, and so sadly, I have decided that I won't be attending the wonderful reunion weekend. I'll be thinking of you all and wishing you a lot of fun and happy memory sharing and memory making anew!  Warm wishes, Annellen

Janet Falkenburg (Vidmar)

Greetings Class of '65.

Since I'm writing this, I am obviously not able to be a part of the gala festivities.  However, I have a deep well of fondness and memories for all of you, your parents who touched my life, and the Shaker community as a whole.  I have always been grateful that I grew up in Shaker.  The environment remains beautiful in my mind, and the quality of the teachers outstanding.  This first became apparent to me during my freshman year in college, when I realized that my depth of knowledge and research skills exceeded those of my classmates.  Who knew, as I was hardly an academic standout in Shaker.  These skills have served me well over the decades, and when I read of your achievements in life, I realize my experiences have been replicated.

Although I have never returned to Shaker Heights or remained in contact with dear friends, you are all in my heart and a part of my life.  I am deeply grieved by those who have passed, and it is difficult to read of my friends who are gone.

Enjoy the 50th reunion, and cheers to you all.

Jan

Mimi Becker

Hi Janet,

What a thoughful and lovely note from you to the Class of '65. I'm glad that life continues to treat you well... And I will miss seeing you at reunion.

Take good care of yourself,

Mimi

Marlene Mesnick (Colon)

You are so adorable ...cannot wait to see you.  Thinking to post meet  Thur evening at Corky and Lenny at 6 or 7 for the class.  Call me to say hello 678-358-8331

  Marlene

Edward Torchy Smith

Gretchen Longley (Trosper)

Hi Torchy,

Many thanks you and the rest of the reunion committee for the super excellent job you have all done in putting this reunion together.  We appreciate it very much and are looking forward to seeing you and the others.

Bob Rose

Classmates,

I was hoping to be able to attend this reunion, see faces and touch bases again. It has become apparent that I cannot make it in order to complete concurrent changes for my business. I want to wish everyone well and know you will enjoy seeing one another again when you recall some of the times of our years at Shaker and beyond. Since I cannot attend, any classmates interested in writing directly to me is welcome to do so and I will respond as quickly as I can. mailto:UrbanBlacksmith@sbcglobal.net

Thank you Torchy for being a prime motivator here. I will catch you in Tucson one day soon. I'll see rest of you in the next 50 year reunion. Like everyone of us, I would probably not be immediately recognizable if you passed me on the street either sooo...  then, .... between and .....now

Barbara Rosenberg

Hi, Rob, remember we were sequential in home room?  Would love to hear what transpired with you in between.

Best regards,

Barbara Rosenberg

Trish Rowe

Rob ~ Loved the pictures of then and now.  We will miss seeing you -- I was ready to trade horse stories ;)  That last picture.... looks like a child car seat behind you.  Grandpa??

Michael Siegel

Hi Trish.  You obviously missed an earlier posted picture of Rob with his family--including grandkids.

I haven't seen you since...bumping into you in Atlanta in 1970?

Edward Torchy Smith

On Friday night, JULY 17th, at The Embassy Suites Party we will be serving Hot Fudge Sundays at an ice cream bar with DRAEGER'S Hot Fudge.  

Karen Greenhut (Weinberg)

OMG! I will start saving my calories!!

Marlene Mesnick (Colon)

Oh my....my favorite...can't wait!

Gerry Biggin (Draeger)

Great picture, Torchy!!  You are doing a GREAT job on everthing!!!!

Barbara Rosenberg

Great memory - in our dresses after dancing school. Meeting family for dinner, can we drop in for dessert?   Thx, Barbara

Fredric Berger

In case anyone is wondering... that's me and Mary Beth Jobe on the Draeger's label. We did that picture as an ad for the yearbook I believe. Ken says that's probably the last time I smiled like that!  love to all, especially ,Mary Beth. Sorry I won't be at the reunion..  Fred Berger, Fort Lauderdale

Betsy Verne (Franco)

That's an adorable ad. Thanks, Torchy, for doing such a beautiful job with this reunion. Betsy

Gretchen Longley (Trosper)

Looking forward to seeing Gerry and Fred Draeger and eating some of their delicious hot fudge!

Edward Torchy Smith

 new announcement from Gerald Keller :

Several classmates have connected with me about coming to my studio at 2151Murray Hill on Saturday afternoon after the Art Museum tour. I've also got work at the Art Museum's gift shop, so if anyone would like to peruse an expanded selection of Glass Artwork, or a gallery talk on fused glass, feel free to stop by the studio from 12:30 - 4.

Naomi Widzer (Gawiser)

Dear '65 Classmates,

Shel and I will miss the reunion this weekend as we will be cruising in the Bahamas on our own boat along with six other boats from our yacht club. I have enjoyed reading all messages posted on this forum; remember high school times with fondness.  Be healthy and happy, Naomi

Edward Torchy Smith

A special THANKS goes out to Marc Brenner.

For our 50^th reunion Marc's technical school printed 200 copies of our 1965 HANDBOOK at his expense. This booklet was given out at Shaker Heights High School on the first day of school. Every student was expected to read it from start to finish. It was our bible of the rules we had to follow and what was to be expected of us. Now the booklet is somewhat nostalgic and comical at the same time.

A re-printed copy will be given to anyone attending our reunion. This is a total donation that Marc created for our enjoyment.

Marc lives in Cleveland area but due to health restrictions at this time he is unable to attend our reunion weekend. He gives his regards to all his former classmates. Here is a video I created about Marc and Ohio Technical College.

https://youtu.be/mwbY5xiLs-8

Edward Torchy Smith

Ronna Burger

A half-century?  Not possible, is it?!  A few hours, of course, are not enough to catch up, but I'm sorry I won't be able to make it to the reunion to share a glimpse of where our paths have taken us and some memories of where they began.  (Thanks to Torchy and those who made this forum an opportunity for that.)  Hope to see a few pictures from your gathering and hear a report from a couple old friends.  all good wishes, Ronna